The Board found that the veteran's service-connected heart disease did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 14, 2001. The effective date of the increased rating was set at the date of receipt of his claim (August 31, 2000). For the total disability rating based on individual unemployability, the Board determined that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 14, 2001.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the veteran's service-connected heart disease was manifested by occasional chest pain, dizziness, and easy fatigability. The workload of 6 METS supported a 30 percent evaluation under Code 7007, not warranting an increased rating to 60 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertensive arteriosclerotic heart disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- April 22, 2004
- Citation
- 0410424
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,467 · Granted: 18% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0410424.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as his freestanding claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for heart disease has no legal merit. The Board also denied a higher disability rating for his service-connected heart disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine his need for aid and attendance or housebound benefits. The referred issues of service connection will also be addressed.
- Denied
The Board determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.